Erin Smith
Brooklyn, NY, United States
Erin Smith was diagnosed with celiac disease in the early 1980s, so she’s been eating gluten-free almost her entire life. Erin has a unique perspective of growing up in the gluten-free community and blogs about living — and enjoying — a gluten-free lifestyle.
Erin Smith has been writing her gluten-free lifestyle blog Gluten-Free Fun since 2007. In 2011, she launched Gluten-Free Globetrotter, a website that encourages those with celiac disease to travel the world and not be scared about eating gluten-free domestically and abroad. Erin is also the lead organizer of the NYC Celiac Disease Meetup group, a social community that has grown to over 1850 members in the 8 years she has been organizing the group.
http://glutenfreefun.blogspot.com
http://glutenfreeglobetrotter.comSee my complete profile

Are you or is someone close to you living with a serious illness or condition? We want to hear your story. Has this experience given you a new outlook on life? What important lessons have you learned? Please only respond if you are willing to discuss this subject on "The Oprah Winfrey Show".

On Monday September 10, 2007, for the second year in a row the US Senate designated September 13, 2007 as National Celiac Disease Awareness Day. Please hug your fellow Celiac and continue to spread the word so every September 13 is National Celiac Awareness Day. I also encourage you to contact Senator Ben Nelson (Nebraska) and Senator Jim Inhofe (Oklahoma) to thank them for their effort behind S.Res.314.

“Due to the fact that this disease is often misdiagnosed or under-diagnosed, the need for awareness is critically important,” said Senator Ben Nelson. “Accurate information and outreach efforts are needed to ensure the continued health of people afflicted with celiac disease. This resolution is one step in helping Americans learn more about this common disease.”

“Celiac disease hits very close to home for me as I have a staffer with the disease and an Oklahoma Celiac Support Group working to promote awareness in my great state,” Senator Inhofe said. “There are many groups and organizations working to promote celiac disease, and we applaud all their efforts. Awareness can go a long way toward diagnosing and treating the millions of sufferers of celiac disease both in my home state of Oklahoma and across the nation.”

Celiac disease creates intolerance to gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley, as well as some medicines and vitamins. Despite the fact that one in 130 healthy people have celiac disease, and the fact that it is easily detectable, the symptoms are often attributed to other conditions as many doctors lack sufficient knowledge about the disease.

Failure to properly diagnose celiac disease can lead to damage to the small intestine and malnutrition. The good news is that the treatment (following a gluten-free diet) for celiac disease is highly effective. In most sufferers, the small intestines heal completely.

“An estimated two million Americans have celiac disease, of which only 5% are currently diagnosed,” said Mary Schluckebier, Executive Director of the Nebraska-based Celiac Sprue Association. “We thank and commend Senators Nelson and Inhofe for their understanding of the importance of the health and wellness of the American citizen as reflected in their latest accomplishment to increase the awareness of celiac disease.”

Mr. INHOFE (for himself and Mr. Nelson of Nebraska) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

S. Res. 314

Whereas celiac disease affects approximately 1 in every 130 people in the United States, for a total of 3,000,000 people;

Whereas the majority of people with celiac disease have yet to be diagnosed;

Whereas celiac disease is a chronic inflammatory disorder that is classified as both an autoimmune condition and a genetic condition;

Whereas celiac disease causes damage to the lining of the small intestine, which results in overall malnutrition;

Whereas, when a person with celiac disease consumes foods that contain certain protein fractions, that person suffers a cell-mediated immune response that damages the villi of the small intestine, interfering with the absorption of nutrients in food and the effectiveness of medications;

Whereas these problematic protein fractions are found in wheat, barley, rye, and oats, which are used to produce many foods, medications, and vitamins;

Whereas because celiac disease is a genetic disease, there is an increased incidence of celiac disease in families with a known history of celiac disease;

Whereas celiac disease is underdiagnosed because the symptoms can be attributed to other conditions and are easily overlooked by doctors and patients;

Whereas, as recently as 2000, the average person with celiac disease waited 11 years for a correct diagnosis;

Whereas 1/2 of all people with celiac disease do not show symptoms of the disease;

Whereas celiac disease is diagnosed by tests that measure the blood for abnormally high levels of the antibodies of immunoglobulin A, anti-tissue transglutaminase, and IgA anti-endomysium antibodies;

Whereas celiac disease can only be treated by implementing a diet free of wheat, barley, rye, and oats, often called a ``gluten-free diet'';

Whereas a delay in the diagnosis of celiac disease can result in damage to the small intestine, which leads to an increased risk for malnutrition, anemia, lymphoma, adenocarcinoma, osteoporosis, miscarriage, congenital malformation, short stature, and disorders of skin and other organs;

(2) recognizes that all people of the United States should become more informed and aware of celiac disease;

(3) calls upon the people of the United States to observe the date with appropriate ceremonies and activities; and

(4) respectfully requests the Secretary of the Senate to transmit a copy of this resolution to the Celiac Sprue Association, the American Celiac Society, the Celiac Disease Foundation, the Gluten Intolerance Group of North America, and the Oklahoma Celiac Support Group No. 5 of the Celiac Sprue Association.

Can't find your favorite Amy’s Kitchen product at your local market? No need to fret. The nation's top-selling brand of natural and organic vegetarian convenience foods is pleased to announce free shipping on any order over $30 at its online store. Although you can't yet order Amy's frozen foods through their website, you can order Beans & Chili, Pasta Sauce, Beans & Chili, Salsa, and Soups.

The online store stocks a complete line of Amy’s grocery items - including many gluten free choices, from salsa and tomato sauce to soups and beans, ranging in price from $1.89 to $6.39.

I got a Google Alert today and found this article on Wired Science. The article, by Carl Zimmer, is called "The Coolest Science Tattoos" and I found the gluten protein tattoo to be amusing and extremely dedicated. Hey, if this is going to spread the word about Celiac, then so be it.

Jessica Pikul writes: I am a Chemistry PhD student at University of Washington. My research is in bioinorganic chemistry, specifically modeling non-heme iron-sulfur metalloenzymes. I am also a Celiac (autoimmune disorder triggered by ingesting gluten). The tattoo on my leg is one of the segments of the gluten protein that I can not digest. The ball and stick molecule is of a Proline-Serine-Glutamine-Glutamine peptide that I can't break down which then stimulates T-cells to start the fun chain reaction that ends in my small intestine villi being attacked by antibodies. The background to the molecule is an artsy spacescape. I chose this to speak to the universality of the physical laws that govern the microscopic and macroscopic, an idea that has kept me excited about chemistry and in the lab to this day (and hopefully longer).

This year's walk date, October 14th, is approaching quickly. There is room for 60 vendors and spaces are currently being reserved.

Each vendor will receive one 8ft. table which includes electricity for any appliances that you wish to bring.

This year in addition to the walk there will be:

* Presentations by Dr. Peter Green of the Celiac Disease Center* Presentations by Nutritionist Anne Lee of the Celiac Disease Center* An available Gluten Free Lunch* Family Blood Screening for 300 people, conducted by the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University

The walk is expecting an attendance of at least 700 people. The cost to vendors is $75 for the chance to display, promote and sell your new or existing gluten free or celiac related products.

There are also sponsorship opportunities available.

For more information please email Colin Leslie at cmleslie@ optonline.net, or visit the walks website at www.colinlesliewalkforceliacdisease.org.Colin will respond with an information packet which can also be found on thewebsite under the vendors link.

All proceeds of the walk will be donated to the Celiac Disease Center atColumbia University.